" Hundreds of undamaged Fort McMurray homes declared unsafe due to toxic ash Premier says 'safety and health remain our top priority' as return delayed for some residents

CBC News 3 Hours Ago Media placeholderPlay Media Toxic ash stops some Fort McMurray residents from going home 3:41 1.6k shares With residents set to start returning to Fort McMurray tomorrow, the premier has announced that hundreds of undamaged homes in neighbourhoods hardest hit by the wildfire are not safe to live in.

Tests done near those homes show ash and soil in the area contain substances like arsenic and other heavy metals.

Fort McMurray businesses eager to get back to community Hospital services in Fort McMurray being phased in as residents get set to return "Unfortunately, I have to report today that the outcome of these tests indicate that undamaged homes in certain neighbourhoods are not immediately safe for reoccupation," Premier Rachel Notley said Monday afternoon.

"I realize this will be difficult news for people to hear who were expecting to return to their homes later this week," Notley said. "But as always, safety and health remain our top priority."

'It's the craziest thing'

Jessica Rejman's home in the Waterways neighbourhood is one of those declared unsafe.

"If you look at the whole block, our homes look OK," she said. "There doesn't look like there is anything wrong with them."

However the homes across the street from hers were destroyed, she said.

"There are only two on that block that made it. It basically burned a semi-circle around (our homes), and I don't how it did that. It's the craziest thing.

Notley's announcement did not come as a complete surprise, she said.

Rejman home Jessica Rejman's home as the wildfire advanced on May 3. (Supplied) When Rejman bought her home she knew she was buying one in a historical district. "I already knew it would be pretty hazardous for that reason alone."

Nonetheless she said she was shocked by the hazards of the ash.

"I knew it was going to be bad, but maybe not that bad."

Rejman said she didn't plan to stay in Fort McMurray in the near future because she has asthma, but she hopes to visit her home next month.

Her home is one of about 560 not directly damaged by fire, but declared unsafe for habitation.

The homes are spread between Abasand (350 houses and 10 apartment complexes), Beacon Hill (183 houses and one apartment complex) and Waterways (27 homes and one complex).

Residents of those homes will be escorted in and allowed to inspect their homes and gather personal belongings, but will not be able to stay.

The premier estimated the decision will affect close to 2,000 people.

Residents urged to take precautions

"The ash has a very high pH which makes it caustic and may cause both skin and respiratory irritation and burns," said Dr. Karen Grimsrud, Alberta's chief medical officer of health.

"There's also heavy metals like arsenic in these samples. As well, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans have been detected at concentrations above what has been recommended for public health."

I wonder to what extent the city can bounce back. I suppose much of it depends on the local economy.